Reaching Ahead LLC

01/29/2026

We spend a lot of time teaching skills.
What often matters more is how we show up.

In performance psychology, outcomes are shaped less by technique alone and more by trust, presence, and perceived safety in the relationship. Authenticity is not oversharing or informality. It is alignment between values, awareness, and action.

This blog revisits a conversation that continues to guide my work across performance settings and highlights why who you are matters as much as what you do.

Read the full article here:
https://reachingahead.com/power-of-authenticity-in-performance-psychology-and-mental-performance-consulting/

01/10/2026

This is a great opportunity, working with Dr. Craig Cypher. Check it out!!! 

12/16/2025

Stress is not the enemy. Unmanaged stress is.

Performance lives in four stages: baseline, pre-performance, during performance, and recovery. Each stage asks for a different relationship with stress. Sometimes we lower it. Sometimes we ride it. Sometimes we intentionally practice shifting it.

HRV is not a single score to chase. Like color, different measures show different qualities. The goal is not a higher score, but rather better self-regulation.

Metrics are training wheels. Awareness and adaptability are the destination.

Read the full post for tools and perspective: https://reachingahead.com/self-regulation-hrv-drill/

12/02/2025

Noticing how we feel in the body is crucial to deepening awareness and supporting healing.

This body sensations poster is a tool used to help people name and connect with what they’re experiencing physically, a key step toward emotional insight and regulation.

Explore more resources for mind–body awareness at http://www.reachingahead.com

11/18/2025

New podcast episode out now!

Dive into the mental side of sailing with sport psychologist Tim Herzog as he breaks down how mindset, focus, and resilience fuel peak performance on the water. Whether you’re a sailor, athlete, or coach, this conversation will help you unlock a calm, consistent focus on controllable processes.

Listen to "Unlocking Sailing Success Through Sport Psychology and Mental Training with Tim Herzog” now on Buzzsprout, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Check it out: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2500477/episodes/17501788-unlocking-sailing-success-through-sport-psychology-and-mental-training-with-tim-herzog

11/18/2025

11/06/2025

Healing starts in the present moment.

Check out our new blog post on how mindfulness helps recover your body and mind. When injury pulls you out of the game, mindfulness brings you back to the present. Learn how staying aware, compassionate, and connected during rehab can accelerate healing and build long-term resilience.

Read the full article here: https://reachingahead.com/mindfulness-in-injury-rehabilitation-helping-athletes-heal-in-the-present/

10/28/2025

Super proud of our social media intern, Logan Kriesl in general, and for this piece he just published on our website: “Bridging the Gap: Collegiate Mental Health Strategies for High School Athletics.” Logan is still in high school, and clearly has a bright future in front of him. Check it out: https://reachingahead.com/logan-kreisl-bridging-the-gap-collegiate-mental-health-strategies-for-high-school-athletics/

Written by W. Logan Kreisl The Hidden Strain on Student-Athletes High school student-athletes face a perfect storm of pressure: academic expectations, competitive performance, and the pursuit of scholarships or professional dreams. In fact, 91% of student-athletes report feelings of stress related t...

10/24/2025

10/09/2025

Emotions move through groups like a current, shaping how people think, act, and perform together. Whether you realize it or not, the way you manage your emotions can lift an entire team or weigh it down. When you lead with authenticity, empathy, and self-regulation, you create an environment where people feel seen, supported, and motivated to do their best work.

Lead with self-regulation, compassion, and awareness. Your attitude sets the tone for your team.

Learn more about how emotional awareness builds stronger teams:
http://www.reachingahead.com/

09/29/2025

High-level communication and performance begin with the ability to regulate yourself under pressure. Self-regulation allows you to stay focused, manage emotions effectively, and respond with clarity instead of reactivity.

One must equip themselves with practical tools to build awareness, strengthen control, and optimize performance in any environment.

Discover how to train these skills: www.reachingahead.com/simple-awareness-and-self-regulation-training/

09/27/2025

Talk about a pre-game ritual to get amped up!!!!